Peeking at the Future of Algae: International Algae Competition announces winners

Cities where buildings are covered with green photosynthetic membranes? Where vertical gardens collect the sun’s energy and produce food for urban citizens.

The International Algae Competition’s winners spark visions of algae landscape and architecture design, novel algae production systems and new foods.

In Arizona, the organizers of the The International Algae Competition, Robert Henrikson and Mark Edwards, challenged architects, engineers, scientists, algae enthusiasts and students from around the world to design visionary algae food and energy systems. This week, they have announced seven prize winners from the 40 finalists.

Competition winners, finalists and many entries will be recognized in Imagine Our Algae Future, a full color book based on the International Algae Competition to be available soon on Amazon.com, and the organizers advise that they are prospecting public exhibition venues and sponsors for 2012 Algae Competition Exhibitions in museums, conference centers and universities around the world.

The proposed exhibit will include a multi-sensory experience of landscape and architecture designs on wall murals and video monitors, working models and algae food and beverages to delight the taste.

A list of winners is below – click on the links to for visualizations from the individual prize winners and more detailed project descriptions.

The Abundance Prize and Best Video

Green Loop: Marina City Global Algae Retrofitting, Chicago by Influx_Studio, Mario Caceres and Christian Canonico.

Algae Landscape Design First Prize

Process Zero: Retrofit Resolution. GSA Federal Building, Los Angeles, CA, by Hok/Vanderweil, Sean Quinn.

Urban Algae Culture in Gangxiacun, Shenzhen China, by Kady, Wong Hoi Kei & Kate, Lau Hoi Ying & Perry Li.

The Algae Production Systems First Prize

Circular Tank Technology to reduce production costs, by Vincent Guigon, Antenna Technologies, Geneva.

Organic spirulina microfarm with biogas plant. Normandy, France, by Laurent Lecesve, Hybrid énergies & Eco-Systèmes.

The Algae Food Development First Prize

Biosphere Instant Soup Concept by Lucie Bolzec, founder of Delis Design Studio, France.

Dances With Algae, by Lynn Cornish, Scott Hubley, Romelda Nickerson, Josie Todd, Canada. Marine Algae Foods and Recipes.

The Appreciation Prize, voted by participants

Algae Powered Mushroom Farm in Congo, Africa, by 10 Design Group, Ted Givins.

For more information

More on the IAC, sponsors and founders, at algaecompetition.com.